Metallic packing and method of producing the same



Jan. 21 1936.

S. L. PALMER METALLIC PACKING AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME FiledJuly 15, 1932 INVENTOR jzd'neg/ L Falmzr ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 21,1936 zozaz c METALLIC PACKING AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME Sidney L.Palmer, San'Francisco, Calif., assignor to American Smelting andRefining Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New JerseyApplication Jul 15, 1932, Serial No. 622,661

6 Claims. (01. 18-55) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in metallic packing and similar products. In addition toproviding a new article of manufacture, the invention embodies theeconomical and highly successful method by which the commercial productis produced. 7

One of the salient features of the invention is the production of ametallic packing product having a core comprising a mixture of suitablemetallic packing particles surrounded by a relatively thin surface skinor coating formed from the same material as the core.

In forming this new type of packing, suitable metallic and non-metallicmaterials may be intimately mixed in desired proportions and theresulting mass forcedthrough a suitable die under pressure. As a resultof this operation, the

metallic packing mixture is formed in a continuous length, the crosssection of which possesses the contour of the particular die used. Asthe mixture passes through the die thepressure and friction of the metalfibres against the die tend to weld the metallic particles adjacent tothe die, thus forming the skin while the particles comprising the coreof the elongated product are not so affected.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing forming a part thereof, in which Figure l is adiagrammatic view of one type of apparatus suitable for practicing theinvention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of one form ofmetallic packing which forms a part of the invention; and

Figures 3a-e are cross-sectional views of metallic packing produced inaccordance with the invention.

As shown in Figure 2, the density of the outer surface of the finalproduct which constitutes the skin is appreciably greater than thedensity of the core. This skin serves to give the product stability ofform which greatly facilitates handling the packing before use, as wellas when installations are made. At the same time, the core or interiorof the product is relatively soft and easily deformed; The product may,of course, possess practically any contour in cross-section, as will beappreciated by referring to Figures 3a-e in which a few types areillustrated.

In addition to being capable of manufacture in practically all shapesand sizes, the product of lead,- antimony, antimonial lead and the likeand these, as well'as any others which are adapted for packing purposes,may be used in a variety of forms-wool, fiber, pellet, powder, etc.

A wide choice also exists in the selection of the non-metallicconstituents of the packing. However, materialsof a lubricative nature,such as grease, graphite and lubricating oils, are perhaps the mostcommon, although other materials, such as asbestos, may be incorporatedin producing packing for specific purposes.

The above materials and others may be combined in various proportions tocompound the mixture from which the final product is formed or evolved.For general purposes, a metallic packing consisting of 5% graphite, 1%2%highgrade lubricating oil, and the balance lead wool gives excellentresults.

One form of apparatus suitable for practicing my improved process isshown in Figure l, in which a cast iron or other suitable cylinder of anhydraulic press I, having plunger or ram 2, is provided with a suitabledie 3, possessing an orifice of the configuration preferred. Inoperation, the cylinder of the press is filled with packing materialcomprising metal fibers and metal constituents 4 and appropriatepressure is applied to the ram 2. Suitable means (not shown), such asburners or cooling devices, may be employed to regulate the temperatureof the product being forced through the die in order to form the thinskin or coating and, at the same time, to maintain the core of theproduct in substantially the same physical condition as the source ofthe material.

It will be appreciated among other advantages that the present inventionrenders the use of binders unnecessary in metallic packing. The articleof manufacture herein described is in such form that artificial binders,such as glue, rubber and the like, which occupied a prominent place inthe prior art, are completely eliminated. This is significant, becausesuch' material, while perhaps not always injurious, does not aidmetallic packing in performing its functions.

Due to the fact that the metallic packing of the present invention maybe produced in long lengths, the article is convenient to handle and mayreadily be cut and formed to any type of packing gland.

Properly manufactured, the packing is selflubricating and capable ofresisting the attacks of heat and acid. It is also unaffected by steam,water or oil. While the skin gives the product a more or less definiteform it does not affect its packing functions as the packing readilyyields under pressure and adjusts itself to the shape of the packinggland, as well as to the surface being packed.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it Will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a relatively soft, readily deformablecore of metallic packing material surrounded by a more dense surfacelayer, both core and surface layer being formed from a common source ofmaterial.

2. As an article of manufacture, metallic packing composed of a mixtureof metallic and nonmetallic materials comprising a form-maintaining skinof such materials surrounding a readily deformable core of similarmaterial.

3. As an article of manufacture, metallic packing comprising a mixtureof lead wool, graphite and a relatively small percentage of lubricatingoil in which the major portion of the mixture is surrounded by a skinproduced by compressing 5 the outer particles of the mass.

4. A length of metallic packing consisting of finely divided soft metalmixed With other packing materials, a portion of said metal being formedinto a welded coating which comprises the surface of said packinglength.

5. The method of producing metallic packing which comprises extruding amixture of a soft metal selected from the class comprising lead,antimony and antimonial lead, and other packing materials through a dieof suitable cross section with sufficient pressure to weld the metalliccomponents of the mixture adjacent the die walls into a form-retainingskin on the surface of the material being extruded.

6. The process for manufacturing metallic packing which consists inforcing a mixture of metallic and non-metallic packing constituentsthrough a die under such conditions of pressure and temperature that themetallic particles comprising the surface of the resulting product arewelded into a relatively thin coating surrounding a readily deformablecore of the mixture, said coating being sufficiently strong to maintainthe shape of the product when same is handled.

SIDNEY L. PALMER.

